Milestone achieved in mass effort to safeguard humans from world’s deadliest disease. A public health campaign to eliminate rabies, supported by Dick Vet scientists, has reached a milestone of vaccinating two million dogs around the world against the infectious disease. The outcome, marked on World Rabies Day, is a result of the charity Mission Rabies’ mass vaccination campaigns that aim to help stop human deaths from rabies by 2030. Work was been carried out with support from partners around the world including the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and the Roslin Institute. To efficiently deliver canine vaccinations on a large scale, Mission Rabies use a bespoke data collection app, developed with University of Edinburgh expertise, to help with rabies and dog population research, and to ensure campaigns are effective and measurable. The app is also used by other government bodies and NGOs to record vital data and vaccination figures. Prevention efforts Despite being vaccine preventable, rabies still has the highest fatality rate of any infectious disease and once clinical symptoms develop, death is inevitable. Almost all – 99 per cent – of human rabies cases are contracted as a result of dog bites, and vaccinating dogs is the most effective long-term control strategy to protect communities. Mission Rabies runs mass canine vaccination campaigns, surveillance, and community education programmes in the world’s worst rabies affected areas. The charity’s response teams, located in its key project sites, also offer 24-hour support for rabies emergencies. The World Health Organization and United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization have set a target for global dog-mediated human rabies elimination by 2030. World Rabies Day, 28 September, marks the anniversary of the death of scientific pioneer Louis Pasteur, who administered the first human rabies vaccine in 1885. I’m hugely proud to be a part of the Mission Rabies team and we’re all delighted with this landmark achievement. None of it would have been possible without the inspirational winners believing in the cause so a tremendous thanks to all involved and a special mention to Dogs Trust Worldwide, MSD Animal Health, the CDC and the University of Edinburgh for their phenomenal support. There is so much more we need to do, and so we need to really fire up the momentum globally if we’re going to hit the WHO 2030 goal. Dr Luke GambleFounder and CEO, Mission Rabies: Collaborative partnerships underscored by technology have enabled the vaccination of 2 million dogs against rabies, and prevented the spread of a disease that is deadly for humans. This is a remarkable achievement and inspires ongoing efforts towards eliminating dog-mediated cases of rabies in people within the next decade. Dr Stella MazeriRoslin Institute and Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies: Related links How smartphones are fighting rabies in Africa Rabies campaign reaches milestone of success About the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies is a one-of-a-kind centre of excellence in clinical activity, teaching and research. Our purpose-built campus, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Pentland Hills Regional Park, is home to more than eight hundred staff and almost fourteen hundred students, all of whom contribute to our exceptional community ethos. The School comprises: The Roslin Institute The Global Academy of Agriculture and Food Systems The Roslin Innovation Centre The Hospital for Small Animals Equine Veterinary Services Farm Animal Services Easter Bush Pathology The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education We represent the largest concentration of animal science-related expertise in Europe, impacting local, regional, national and international communities in terms of economic growth, the provision of clinical services and the advancement of scientific knowledge. Publication date 28 Sep, 2022
